Maxwell Morrongiello: Doing the Most Good

Maxwell Morrongiello is a candidate running for town council who believes in following the path of doing the most good in politics and life.

No matter what the issue, Max's core belief in politics and in life is that one should follow the path of doing the most good. When it comes to policy, Max is always willing to change his mind if you can convince him that another policy or issue will do more good for society.

Max Morrongiello's approach to policy decisions is guided by the principle of doing the most good for Franklin. He starts by clearly defining the problem at hand. Then, Max identifies all the different stakeholders involved - from residents and local businesses to town services and community groups. He carefully considers how each potential solution would impact these various stakeholders, weighing the pros and cons of each option. Finally, Max chooses the approach he believes will bring the most benefit to the greatest number of stakeholders in Franklin, and clearly explains his reasoning to the community.

Max supports the following priorities:

TOP 3 PRIORITES

EXPANDING RELIEF FOR RESIDENTS WHO NEED IT
TRANSPARANCY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY AND PROMOTING CIVILITY

Governance and Transparency

Strengthening oversight of town administration and ensuring ethical conduct in all municipal operations.
Establishing a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan with measurable goals for the town like Holliston and Shrewsbury do, or working to incorporate strategic planning into the master plan development process.
Strengthening the strategic planning of key departments.
Increasing transparency in local government decision-making and operations.
Guaranteeing all residents have access to information and can actively participate in town affairs.
Attending regular office hours and town halls to address constituent concerns and gather feedback.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

Encouraging citizen participation through volunteer opportunities and advisory committees.
Promoting a positive culture in local politics and improving communication between the council and residents.
Collaborating with people of different viewpoints to achieve the best results for Franklin residents.
Working with local partners like the Downtown Partnership and Interfaith Council to build a stronger sense of community.

Honest, Thoughtful, and Innovative Leadership

Communicating honestly about Franklin's challenges and opportunities, providing a realistic yet optimistic vision for our future.
Considering all alternatives for each issue, thoroughly examining various perspectives and potential solutions before making decisions.
Developing creative solutions to improve our town, applying innovative thinking to Franklin's unique challenges.
Seeking out new approaches by consulting experts, studying successful models, and encouraging ideas from all residents.
Admitting mistakes openly and learning from them, demonstrating accountability and personal growth in public service.

Public Services, Public Health, and Public Safety

Ensuring public safety and quality education by providing our police, fire, teachers, and other public officials with adequate pay, resources, evidence-based training, and support to effectively serve and protect our community.
Increasing accessibility to mental health resources, substance abuse prevention and recovery programs, and continuing to work with community partners like the SAFE Coalition.
Implementing community-based programs and mental health initiatives to prevent crime, build trust, and promote a safer, more cohesive Franklin for all residents.
Prioritizing DPW's limited tax dollars towards safety needs, such as filling potholes, and protecting overhead wires through tree trimming, over aesthetic concerns.
Developing community-oriented policing initiatives to build trust and improve safety.
Enhancing emergency preparedness and disaster response capabilities.

Financial Responsibility

Expanding tax relief for low-income seniors and lowering fees for low-income residents.
Rooting out unnecessary spending and ensuring wise use of tax dollars.
Empowering voters with the choice to approve or reject Proposition 2½ overrides for funding town services.
Leveraging technology to make government more efficient.
Ending reliance on short-term budget gimmicks and one-time funds to balance the budget.
Reducing government red tape for businesses and citizens when they interact with the Town.

Environmental Sustainability

Continuing the town's efforts towards increasing energy efficiency in municipal buildings and saving ratepayers money through municipal aggregation.
Protecting our local water sources to ensure clean, safe drinking water for all Franklin residents.
Supporting discounts for households who minimize trash and reduce waste management expenses.
Pursuing cost-effective green initiatives that protect our environment while also reducing long-term expenses for the town.
Maintaining and expanding Franklin's parks, trails, and open spaces to preserve our town's character, provide recreational opportunities for residents, and support local wildlife habitats.
Preserving Franklin's natural beauty and resources for future generations through responsible management and conservation practices.

Education

Maintaining parity in growth of school and non-school spending.
Meeting students' basic needs, such as reducing child poverty (about 243 children in Franklin are in poverty), and supporting students' housing and food security needs. The biggest predictor of a district's average MCAS scores is the number of low-income students in the district. I believe better supporting low-income students in Franklin will boost Franklin's academic performance.
Supporting our teachers who fight every day for our students, and supporting the work that they do.
Celebrating our town's arts and culture, as well as supporting the preservation of the town's history.

Growth and Development

Keeping Franklin's population growth low at a target rate of 1% a year. (The historical average is 2% since 1850.)
Allowing FHS graduates to be able to afford to live in Franklin after they graduate college.
Ensuring most new residential growth is affordable and middle-income housing.
Enabling seniors who want to downsize the ability to find housing to do so.
Increasing the percentage of affordable housing to the same level as our neighbor Plainville, from 10.86% to 13.11%.
Balancing development with preservation of Franklin's historic character and open spaces.
Ensuring traffic considerations are fully accounted for in any new development.
Fostering a business-friendly environment to attract and retain local businesses, creating jobs and expanding the tax base without increasing tax rates.
Actively participate in Franklin Downtown Partnership meetings to strengthen collaboration between the Partnership and Town Council.
Work closely with local business owners to identify and address concerns, focusing on removing obstacles to growth and development.
Develop creative solutions to reduce vacant commercial properties downtown

Civil Liberties and Equal Rights

Upholding and respecting the U.S. Constitution, Massachusetts Constitution, and Franklin Town Charter while ensuring local ordinances align with these fundamental protections.
Safeguarding personal freedoms, privacy rights, due process, and individual liberties for all Franklin residents, balancing public safety needs with civil rights.
Fostering a welcoming community that ensures equal treatment and opportunities for all residents, respecting diverse backgrounds and viewpoints while promoting individual freedoms.